Bank out of cup at the first hurdle

West Bank welcomed Folly in the 1st round of the North West Men’s League Cup. Although from division one the Manchester outfit came into this game with a 100% record so far this season.

The Bears showed many changes from the previous weeks win at Latchford but despite that looked to have enough in the tank to see off the expected fierce challenge.

Eddie McAdam crossed from close range after 15 minutes and the home team looked to be in charge when Shaun McWhirter passed to Ste Curphey, Curphey’s flat ball was powerfully taken by Gregg Forbes who took three defenders over the line with him. McWhirter converted.

Folly hit back with a converted try but Curphey again found Forbes who broke the line and a nice pass from him put the supporting McWhirter over. A second conversion brought up a 16-6 half time lead.

The score was a little flattering to the Bears as Folly were well in the game and this was borne out early in the second half when two converted trys by the visitors saw them take the lead 18 to 16.

Debutant Tom Roberts raced half the length of the field and a brilliant conversion from Danny Blunt gave hope that the Bank might progress but a soft try under the sticks by the visitors put paid to that. Folly deservedly through to the next round.